Thankfully not a bad story. I spot check my snake vivs and give them a once a week clear out and check all is ok.
Glad I do this, as one of the corn vivs stats had packed up. There was a brown burn mark on top of it and it was way to hot to touch. After hubby had turned the power off and replaced the stat with a spare one he investigated..
The inside of the one he removed had had its transformers burnt out o you and could have had started a fire.OMG.
Anyway just a note to all to check their electrics.

Good idea Especially as the weather has been hot. These stats are working overtime to keep tanks at the set temps. But yes they can burn out although they do say they have a 10 yr lifetime its always best to check when weather gets either hotter or colder than usual!
Responsible owners should check for things like that on a regular basis - personally i check ours daily when we change water etc.!